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‘Anata-Shu’afat, Container (Wadi Nar)

Place: Checkpoint Shu'afat camp / Anata-Shu'afat (Jerusalem) Container (Wadi Nar)
Observers: Dafna S., Anat T. (reporting and filming)
Mar-31-2015
| Morning
 
 
Spring break on the threshold (and already begun in the girls' schools). But the Holiday of Freedom is not on the horizon in East Jerusalem.
 
7:15 Shuafat Camp
 
Michaela has reported on the relocation of the children's transportation exit, from the inner lot to the roundabout outside the checkpoint. This is a temporary arrangement, until the inner lot is extended. In the meantime pupils of all ages cross without inspection — members of the residents' committee check that they are all pupils (by means of a short question or through personal acquaintance), and then the childrn continue on a path to the roundabout without further inspection. In two days the boys' schools will also be on vacation.
Members in the residents'committee tell of some even-handed reportage about the camp (on channel 2, and another, by Moody Bar-on in preparation), but also some unfair and slanted (channel 10, for instance).  They say they have not given up the legal struggle against the garbage dump approved by the Jerusalem Municipality under their noses (in every sense).  They too feel that the election results leave little hope, yet they maintain a measure of optimism, and trust in the principle of non-violence.
 
8:30 Wadi Nar

 
A mammoth traffic jam from Ma'aleh Adumim to the Az-Za'ayyem checkpoint.  Work on upgrading the checkpoint in Wadi Nar has been completed, and it consists of fences, roofs above the checking points, and more gates to enable the isolation of the checkpoint from the surroundings. When we approach, the soldiers rush up to us and they scrutinise the document from the army spokesman which allows the presence of civil rights organisations at the checkpoints.  They ask for a copy, to check.  There are no checks or delays.  The dogs bark, as usual, perhaps giving the soldiers a sense of safety.
 
We return via Suwahara Al Sharkiah, which looks peaceful and relatively well kempt. No doubt Al Ezariya appears commercially active since she belongs to Area B under administration of the Palestinian Authority.

  • Checkpoint Shu'afat camp / Anata-Shu'afat (Jerusalem)

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    • The Shu’afat checkpoint is located in the northern part of East Jerusalem at the exit from the village of Anata and the Shu’afat refugee camp, which are located in the area annexed to Jerusalem in 1967. The refugee camp borders the Shu’afat neighborhood to the west, Pisgat Ze’ev to the north, the French Hill neighborhood to the south and the planned expansion of Ma’aleh Adumim to E-1 in the east.  It was established in 1966 for 1948 refugees from the West Bank and was populated after the Six Day War by persons who had been expelled from the Jewish Quarter.  Today its population comprises some 25,000 people holding blue ID cards and some 15,000 people with Palestinian ID cards.  The camp lacks adequate infrastructure and services, and suffers from poverty, neglect and overcrowding.  All its buildings are connected to the public electricity and water infrastructure, but not all are connected to the sewer system.  The camp’s services are provided by UNRWA, except for those such as health clinics and transportation of pupils to schools in Jerusalem.  In 2005, the Israeli High Court of Justice rejected a suit by the residents requesting that the route of the separation fence be drawn such that the camp would remain on the Israeli side, but conditioned its approval of the route on the establishment of a convenient and rapid crossing facility for the inhabitants of the neighborhood, most of whom are residents of Jerusalem.

      A temporary checkpoint operated there until December, 2011.  It was extremely congested during rush hours, and dangerous for pedestrians (especially children) because of inadequate safety provisions.  The new checkpoint was  inaugurated south of the old one, for public and private transportation and for pedestrians, intended solely for the residents of the camp – holders of blue ID cards, and those with Palestinian ID cards who possess appropriate permits.  There are five vehicle inspection stations at the checkpoint, and two for pedestrians (one of which is currently closed) where scanners have been installed but are not yet operating.  According to the army, representatives of government agencies will also be present to provide services to residents of the neighbourhood.  The pedestrian lanes are very long, located far from the small parking lots, and accessible through only a single revolving gate.

       

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      Jan-25-2026
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  • Container (Wadi Nar)

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    •  Wadi Nar Checkpoint ("Container", "The Kiosk") - a barrier for vehicles in Area B that is regularly manned - east of Abu Dis between Sawahra A Sharqiya and Bethlehem and its daughters. Controls Palestinian movement between the north and south West-Bank. Includes driving routes, access roads, spikes, traffic lights and signs. There is no pedestrian crossing. Open 24 hours a day with random checks enhanced on security alerts. The checkpoint is in Palestinian territory, allowing for separation between the north and the south Palestinian areas when necessary.

      In 2015, the leading road from Azaria to Bethlehem was renovated, as well as the steep and narrow ascent to the Wadi Nar checkpoint, which was dangerously travelled in both directions! The temporary checkpoint was renovated and expanded, and pedestrian traffic was banned. From 2016, traffic travelling from the south bank to Azaria was directed to a one-way road near the Southern Keydar Jewish settlement.

      Machsomwatch shifts visit this far-fetched checkpoint only occasionally.

      (updated to July 2019)

       

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